Family sues school district over alleged cyberbullying

BRENTWOOD, Tenn., July 8 (UPI) -- A family in Tennessee filed a lawsuit against a school district, alleging it failed to protect their son against cyberbullies.

The complainants -- identified as the Mihnovich family -- filed the $1.1 million complaint in U.S. District Court in Nashville against Williamson County Schools, The (Nashville) Tennessean reported Sunday.

The family said the school district did little to protect their son, who was "receiving texts containing racist and profane statements, including a racist death threat," the complaint said.

The bullying began in February, 2012, the family said.

In late February, the family was made aware of a Facebook page dedicated to hating their son, the lawsuit said. The page had 33 subscribers and nearly all of them attended the Grassland Middle School, the lawsuit said.

Williamson County Schools officials said they could not comment on pending litigation.

Larry Crain, attorney for the family, said cyberbullying is on the rise despite national campaigns against it.

"It's a hot issue, and it's not just here, but the last place you would expect it is in Williamson County," Crain said.